The Role of Religion in the Potterverse was Magical Latin

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 186151

No Limberger in an earlier post:
 My impression of the wizarding world as designed by JK Rowling is that
> wizards & witches predate Christianity by countless
> centuries.  Thus, while a significant portion of the muggle world adopted a
> particular religion, this could easily be regarded
> as relatively unimportant in the wizarding world. 

Potioncat:
In the Potterverse, both the Muggles and the wizards existed before Christianity, and it seems they mingled openly until the 1600s. So both Muggles and wizards would be exposed to the same historical events of our RW. (at least as I interpret JKR's writing.) So wizards and Muggles in Europe moved from the pagan beliefs to Christian beliefs---for the most part. There could be some Wicca or Druid clutches of either Muggle or wizarding fold still meeting to this very day.

We readers bring our own slant to works of fiction, and can fill in the blanks as we wish, pretty much. So in a sense, I agree--I think. That is, in different parts of the world, wizards would have different religions--because wherever they were, they were exposed to the same history of the RW.


---although, my imagination isn't good enough to think there might be a Southern Baptist witch or wizard running about. ;-)

 


>
> >Potioncat wrote earlier:
> >We had Lupin discussing the horror of having the soul removed, leaving a living shell.  We have DD taking care to protect Draco's soul and Snape worried about his own soul. Sounds pretty Christian to me.
> 
> No.Limberger responds:
> In an earlier post, I mention that wizards & witches go back long before Christianity came into existence.  Did the concept of a soul originate in Christianity?

Potioncat:
No, it didn't, but taking care of the soul is a very real part of Christianity today. I don't recall now if it was your point or someone elses point that there are no signs of real Christianity among the wizarding folk. I am merely showing very obvious signs beyond the secular celebrations of the holidays.

I've never taken a religion course, so I can't speak to celebrations or signs of other religions. But as far as I know, we don't see any trappings of any other relgion than Christianity in HP. 

Although, I will offer the point that long ago written posts have made the argument for certain characters being of a specific faith or of representing a specific symbol from another faith.

(There is a very good post from the archives offering Snape as The Satan--not the same as the devil.)



> 
> >Potioncat wrote earlier:
> >Love and sacrifice for one's friends are major Christian themes.
> 
No Limberger responded:
 Given that these acts of love and self-sacrifice occurred approximately 500 years before Christianity ever came into existence, it is safe to say that the concepts of love and self-sacrifice did not originate in Christianity and, hence, could hardly be labeled as being "Christian themes".

Potioncat:
People everywhere and from all times have been and will continue to be capable of extreme love and sacrifice--whether or not they are Christian.

Over the years many of us have seen evidence of Christian beliefs within the HP story--and we know JKR is Christian, and has admitted to the influence in her writing. Some of our churches use these in discussion classes and events.

I'll apologise for my lack of time to reference the speicific passage--or to verify that I have each word correct--(but I'll bet someone will have it posted almost before I click send) but let me give two examples that are straight from Christ (keeping in mind that I am writing from the standpoint of a Chirstian.)
 
from memory:
"Love God with all your heart and soul and strength and love your neighbor as yourself." (part of this comes from Isaiah, the Old Testament)

"There is no greater love than to lay down your life for your neighbor." (or is it brother?)

I think these tie in closely to the actions we see Harry perform. It also ties into DD's statements about the strength of the ancient magic of love. I cannot think JKR wasn't aware of this.